Ronald Clark Kennerly

1935 - 2017

Ronald Clark Kennerly 1935 - 2017
Ron Kennerly, 81 of Springfield, died at 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, 29 March 2017 at Memorial Medical Center ICU, supported by an incredibly professional and caring staff. He was born 12 Aug 35 to Huvil and Gertrude Kennerly in Taylorville IL.
He earned a BA in Business with a minor in Music in 1955 from ISU, and in 1963, completed his Masters in Business Ed from SIU.
Ron began a teaching career in the elementary grades at Brick School in Beardstown IL, later serving as Cass County Assistant Superintendent of Schools for 8 years. During this period he also owned and managed the Gift Box on the square in Virginia. He then worked as an Auditor for Illinois Dept of Commerce & Community Affairs and the Dept of Corrections.
His church affiliations include First Presbyterian of Taylorville and Laurel United Methodist in Springfield (29 years). He earned the Certified Lay Speaker designation for United Methodist Churches, was organist at Indian Point Presbyterian (Athens), and sang in choirs wherever possible. Ron loved music as well as his piano and organ playing, and took time in the 70s to help chaperon the Taylorville Youth Band and Chorus three different times on European tours.
He was a member of Harmony Masonic Lodge #3 (Jacksonville), Scottish Rite-Valley of Springfield and Order of the Eastern Star (Lallah Rook Chapter-Springfield and Adah Robinson Chapter-Virginia). His offices included OES Worthy Patron, Lodge Organist, and Assistant Grand Organist for the Grand Lodge of Illinois (1998-2000).
A confirmed bachelor all his life, Ron became a fantastic uncle who, in his later years as family patriarch, practiced his skills of spoiling and encouraging mischievousness wherever possible. He leaves behind a brother, Jay (Carole) Kennerly of Springfield; sister, Karen Kennerly of Woodbury MN; Nieces and Nephews: Robert (Donna Butler) Boston of Blackfoot ID; Krista Boston (David Salchow) of Woodbury MN; Pamela Kennerly Ignatius (Jeff Ignatius) of Rock Island IL; Major Christian, US Army (Lindsay) Kennerly of Ft Leavenworth KS. Grand Nieces and Nephews: Jeffrey Boston of Idaho Falls ID; Kirk and Connor Boston Salchow of Woodbury MN; Liliana and Nora Kennerly of Ft Leavenworth KS. Great-Niece: Olivia Jean Boston of Idaho Falls ID; and several beloved cousins scattered from California to Florida.
A service is being planned for late spring/early summer and will be announced in these pages prior to the celebration. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Laurel United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund.